As a first-round draft pick a year ago, Swanigan’s path is relatively easier than these rookie Purdue NBA hopefuls.

“After the game I talked to him. I said, ‘Hey man, it’s all love out here,’” Haas said. “I love that dude. He’s been my guy since he stepped on campus.”

The first 30 picks get the first two years of their deals guaranteed with team options for the next two seasons. Everyone else, such as second-round pick Vincent Edwards (Rockets) and undrafted free agents Dakota Mathias (Cavaliers) and Haas, have to show they're worthy of consideration at summer league and hope to stick after training camp two months from now.

They’ll have to play their way into a guarantee, or possibly spend time in the G-League. They might stick with their original team, though many players in their position end up elsewhere unless their rise is immediate.

Seniors Vincent Edwards, from left, Isaac Haas, Dakota Mathias and P.J. Thompson pose for a group photo following the Boilermakers 84-60 victory over Minnesota, February 25, 2018, at Mackey Arena.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)

Edwards was drafted by the Jazz for the Houston Rockets, who acquired him draft night.

He logged 23 minutes versus the Pacers, scoring five points but only shooting 2-for-10, including 1-for-6 on 3s. In 18 minutes versus Golden State, Edwards had three points on 1-for-5 shooting, 1-for-4 from 3, and three rebounds. The Rockets play the L.A. Clippers late Monday.

None of their statistics will be eye-popping given their current roles trying to figure out the NBA way. Besides, summer league isn't about stats. The list of fails who had great summer leagues is lengthy from Jonny Flynn to Glen Rice Jr. to Josh Selby.

“I’m really kind of a flow guy. I just like to get the flow of the game. Sometimes when you’re used to playing a lot you got to come out here and change up your role,” said Edwards, who was a starter for four years at Purdue. “It’s not hard. It’s just something I got to get used to. I was keeping up pretty well. It wasn’t that much different once I got up the court once or twice.”

The Rockets have 11 of 15 roster spots filled, with Clint Capela's cap hold as he remains a restricted free agent and a non-guaranteed deal for Zhou Qi. They also could have a two-way player contract available if they move on from former Pike standout R.J. Hunter. It's a strong possibility Edwards could land there.

Like Edwards, Mathias had issues with his stroke. He finished with three points in 12 minutes of the Cavs’ opening win over the Wizards. Projected as a 3-and-D role player, he made just 1-of-5 from 3.

“It’s fitting for what I expected. I thought we had a really good game and defended well,” Mathias, who went 1-for-5 again from 3 as he finished with just three points in 12 minutes of a loss to the Chicago Bulls in the next game.

In Cleveland, a franchise undergoing a transformation with the exit of LeBron James, there's room for Mathias to slot in. They have 12 contracts with one of those non-guaranteed.

Four-year players who reach this level tend to be more defensively ready in the IQ department. Their offense may take longer to come around and their athleticism has to hold up against bigger, longer and faster players under more complex schemes.

“Basic defensive principles, knowing where to be, how to defend, certain actions, certain pick-and-rolls, basic sets a lot of teams run, the more experience you have in college going over that I think it really helps you,” Mathias said.

When they get a chance, the former teammates make sure they compare notes and support one another on the court.

“Absolutely we root for each other, watch each other a little bit,” Mathias said. “All our teams are different with the way we do things. I definitely follow up and try to see how everybody’s doing.”

Utah Jazz's Isaac Haas, left, battles for the ball with Portland Trail Blazers' Archie Goodwin during the second half of an NBA summer league basketball game, July 7, 2018, in Las Vegas.(Photo: John Locher, AP)

Edwards knew he’d be drafted because of the interest the Rockets showed leading up to the draft and knowing the Oklahoma City Thunder were in play.

They were picking 53rd, one spot after Edwards was eventually chosen.

Haas was a reserve in his first three seasons before starting for the Boilermakers as a senior.

He fractured his right (shooting) elbow in the NCAA tournament and wasn’t confident when the Jazz opened in Utah summer league play last week. His nerves are gone.

If Haas were to make the cut, he knows what his role would be and is perfectly OK with it. Haas didn't play in Sunday's game against the New York Knicks. His next chance to play is Tuesday versus Miami.

The Jazz have 14 of 15 roster spots filled, including a non-guaranteed option on Royce O'Neale they appear likely to exercise. They have two-way player spots available, too.

“Purdue is a unique situation. We had four shooters and one dominant guy on the inside. When you go inside out, great things are going to happen in that situation,” he said. “Here, you got a lot of talented guys, so you got to get everybody touches.

“As long as I’m getting those guys shots, I felt good setting Grayson Allen some good, hard screens where he was getting good looks. I felt being good being able to pass the ball, some of those guys being able to get good handoffs. Creating opportunities for others is all I’m about.”

What will happen between now and October when multiple roster adjustments are made is impossible to predict.